HE’S BEEN IN charge of Kilkenny senior hurling teams since 1998 and that’s meant Brian Cody has seen his fair share of Tipperary sides in opposition.
Next Sunday it’s the Cats against the Premier again as the 2014 All-Ireland senior hurling final takes place.
And Cody has plenty experience to draw upon.
1. All-Ireland semi-final, August 2002
Tipperary entered the game as reigning All-Ireland champions but Jimmy Coogan bagged the vital goal as Cody steered his side to a 1-20 to 1-16 victory over Nicky English’s team.
2. National league final, May 2003
A ten-goal thriller unfolded in Croke Park with Cody seeing Kilkenny just prevailing by 5-14 to 5-13. Henry Shefflin, DJ Carey, Martin Comerford, Eddie Brennan and Charlie Carter all raised green flags for Kilkenny while John Carroll (2), Lar Corbett (2) and Eoin Kelly did likewise for Tipperary.
3. All-Ireland semi-final, August 2003
A game best remembered for a phenomenal goalkeeping display by Brendan Cummins but Cody’s Kilkenny still prevailed in style. They ran out 3-18 to 0-15 winners with Shefflin, Tommy Walsh and Brennan hitting the net.
4. All-Ireland final, September 2009
A gripping classic that eventually swung Kilkenny’s way by 2-22 to 0-23. Shefflin and Comerford’s late goals were crucial as Cody celebrated a fourth successive Liam MacCarthy Cup triumph.
5. National hurling league, February 2010
For the second time in four days, there was no hurling action between Kilkenny and Tipperary in Thurles. Snow again resulted in the postponement as referee Barry Kelly explained to Cody.
6. National hurling league, March 2010
Finally the league game took place and Cody saw his team suffer defeat as Tipperary won by 1-14 to 0-13, helped by 1-7 from Eoin Kelly. Matters got heated on the sidelined between Cody and Liam Sheedy at one juncture.
7. All-Ireland hurling final, September 2010
The day that Cody and Kilkenny saw their ‘Drive For Five’ grind to a halt. Kilkenny lost Shefflin early on and Lar fired home a hat-trick as Tipperary celebrated a famous 4-17 to 1-18 success.
8. All-Ireland senior hurling final, September 2011
Kilkenny roared back the following year and Cody was celebrating as his charges won by 2-17 to 1-16 against Tipperary. Michael Fennelly and Richie Hogan notched the key goals.
9. All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final, August 2012
Kilkenny showed a ruthless streak as they crushed Tipperary by 4-24 to 1-15. TJ Reid (2), Eoin Larkin and Aidan Fogarty all struck goals as Kilkenny produced a brilliant display.
10. National hurling league, March 2013
Tipperary edged a league tie in Thurles by 2-17 to 1-19. The game was preceded by Cody and Eamon O’Shea meeting Sister Patricia Wall in Semple Stadium to help publicise the charity sky dive she was doing in aid of ‘Aware’.
11. All-Ireland hurling qualifier, July 2013
A famous night in Nowlan Park as Kilkenny edged Tipperary in a titanic qualifier battle. Cody saw his side run out 0-20 to 1-14 winners in a game played before a bumper crowd that produced an electric atmosphere.
12. National hurling league final, May 2014
It took extra-time before Cody saw his team win yet another National league title with a 2-25 to 1-27 victory against Kilkenny. TJ Reid struck 2-11 in a brilliant game that also saw Cody involved in an altercation with a Tipperary official during the first-half.
